But there's a bigger question than what a $200 gizmo can buy:

How much difference will a month make?

This time last year, the Wolves had won seven of 41 games and didn't turn around their season until Martin Luther King Day. This time, the Wolves reach the season's halfway point with 14 victories and a month's momentum since they ended a 13-game losing streak and embarked upon a stretch in which they have won 10 of 14 games and gone 8-2 in January, second only to San Antonio's 9-2.

Will it be enough for a fellow left home last season because his team won only a handful of games? "It's always good to win games," Jefferson said. "Last year, that had to be the reason why I didn't make it. I just wish we would have won a few more games this year."

All-Star reserves will be announced Thursday. Western Conference coaches must complement starter Yao Ming with at least one more center. Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal and Jefferson appear to be the favorites. O'Neal has four championship rings, 14 All-Star Game appearances and the home-team factor in his favor. His Suns also are 23-18. He probably will make the team, though he has missed seven games because he often rests on back-to-back games. Forwards Pau Gasol (Lakers) and David West (New Orleans) are players on winning teams who could win a spot over Jefferson.

"Me being kind of old-school, if you're comparing players, my nod goes to the guy on the playoff-caliber team," Phoenix coach Terry Porter said. "It's not a knock on him. I think it's always easier to get good numbers on a bad team. Good teams, you have more options. I don't think there's a coach who votes who wouldn't want Al on their team. Maybe at some point, they'll have 15 guys on a roster and everybody will have a chance to be an All Star."

Former NBA star Chris Webber made an impassioned plea for star players on bad teams during TNT's Thursday telecast announcing All-Star starters.

"I do have respect for guys who are winning and are averaging just as many as points as you are," Jefferson said. "But a guy who's not in the conversation just because his team isn't winning, I don't think that's fair."

Jefferson's defense often still is suspect, but his per-game averages of 22.2 points and 10.7 rebounds are better than Yao's, better than Shaq's, better than any other Western Conference center. Yes, Jefferson is asked to do more. He also faces defenses that collapse more often on him than probably anyone else.

The Trail Blazers last season distributed iPods with Brandon Roy's highlights and stats in a successful, deserved bid to make him an All Star. Wolves coach Kevin McHale said he doesn't like such campaigns, but the Wolves sent out the "Model No. 25: Double-Double Machine" GPS gadget anyway.

"Pretty much no," McHale said when asked if he approves of the ploy. "They get in on their own merits. Al's an All-Star player, I don't think there's any question about that. Winning is something people should take into consideration, there's no doubt about that. I think Al deserves it, but that's for everybody else to vote on . He's going to make the All-Star team many, many times."

The question, of course, is when.

"If it happens, it'd be the best thing in the world," Jefferson said. "If it doesn't, I won't be mad, I won't be disappointed. I'll just work harder. Like Mac said, I'll get my chances. I believe that, too, once we get things turned around here."

WHO WILL JOIN YAO?

Western Conference coaches must choose at least one more center to join Yao Ming in the All-Star Game. Here, in addition to Al Jefferson, are the top candidates:

Shaquille O'Neal, Phoenix

Four-time NBA champion and 14-time All-Star Game participant (his record-tying streak ended last season) has both history and the numbers (21.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 1.9 blocks in his past 15 games) on his side. Doesn't hurt that that the game is in Phoenix, either.

Mehmet Okur, Utah

Great-shooting big man has proven himself a Timberwolf killer this season, but teammates Deron Williams and Paul Millsap are more worthy.

Andris Biedrins, Golden State

His 23 double-doubles are second only to Dwight Howard among centers, but his team has won only 13 games, and Jefferson clearly has outplayed him in two meetings so far this season.

Greg Oden, Portland

A preseason favorite for Rookie of the Year, but early-season injuries and single-digit averages (8.4 points, 7.0 rebounds) might not get him first-team All-Rookie.

Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers

Scored a career-high 42 points Wednesday against the Clippers, but the 21-year-old's time isn't now.

Tyson Chandler, New Orleans

His team's a winner, but those (8.8 points, 8.3 rebounds) aren't All-Star numbers.

WEEK IN REVIEW

Record: 2-1

- Victories Monday in Los Angeles over the injury-ravaged Clippers and Friday at home over Chris Paul and New Orleans bookended Tuesday's loss at Utah in which Jazz center Mehmet Okur beat them with his shooting for the second time in 44 days. The Wolves are 10-4 in their past 14 games after Friday's victory.

STAR TRIBUNE'S STAR OF THE WEEK

- Al Jefferson, F/C: Order is restored. After Randy Foye made it here in consecutive weeks, Big Al returns to his rightful place after averaging 23 points and 13 rebounds in the week's three games.

THIS WEEK: FOUR GAMES

Sunday: vs. Chicago, 6 p.m. Monday: at Milwaukee, 7 p.m. Wednesday: vs. Detroit, 7 p.m. Friday: vs. L.A. Lakers, 7 p.m.

- January ends with the month's busiest week. It ends with the first of Kobe Bryant's two visits to Target Center this season.